Out-of-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh was axed Thursday from Australia’s team for the series-deciding fifth Test against India in Sydney with Beau Webster to make his debut. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc retained his place for Friday’s match despite carrying a rib niggle and will line up in the attack alongside Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon. “Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs or wickets he would have liked this series and felt like it was time for a freshen up,” said skipper Cummins.

“Beau’s been with the squad and been great. 

“It’s a shame for Mitchy because we know how much he brings to the team, but we feel like now is a good time for Beau to get a chance.” 

Marsh’s position had been under intense scrutiny after a poor series with bat and ball and his axing could potentially herald the end of the 33-year-old’s Test career.

After making his debut in 2014, he struggled to cement his place in the team and with the emergence of Cameron Green had been on the red-ball sidelines in recent years.

He returned to the Test side when Green was ruled out of the series following surgery on his spine.

Cummins said Marsh, who remains a key figure for Australia in the white-ball game, took the news well.

“He was totally understanding. I think his words were, ‘I’m not necessarily blindsided.’ 

“He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or (taken) wickets he would have liked so that makes you vulnerable.”

Tasmanian Webster, 31, has toiled for years in Sheffield Shield cricket and will be Australia’s third debutant in the series.

Teenage opener Sam Konstas was called up for the fourth Test in Melbourne, in place of Nathan McSweeney who had made his debut in the first Test in Perth but had a poor run and was dumped after the third in Brisbane.

Konstas announced himself with a quickfire 60, audaciously ramping India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for a six.

Webster can bowl pace and off-spin and was considered a better option in case left-armer quick Starc has any issues.

Starc bowled 41 overs in Melbourne — which Australia won by 184 runs on day five — but clearly struggled in the latter stages.

But despite this Cummins said: “He was never going to miss this one.”

Australia are 2-1 up in the series and will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the Test which begins on Friday.

Victory would also guarantee them a place in the June World Test Championship final at Lord’s against South Africa.

Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald conceded that Mitchell Marsh has fallen short of expectations with the bat against India but remained optimistic about Mitchell Starc’s availability for the pivotal fifth Test in Sydney. Starc’s fitness remains the primary worry for the hosts after the pacer battled through sore ribs from day three of the Boxing Day Test but still managed to bowl effectively, including claiming the prized wicket of Virat Kohli on the final day.

“Any time you get through the game, it’s always a good indicator that you’ve a chance at the next game,” McDonald told reporters after the hosts picked up memorable victory at the MCG to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

“It didn’t stop him (Starc). Clearly there was a little bit of discomfort early on in spells, but once he got warm it seemed as though he was pretty free.

“We’ll see how everyone recovers. Bowling last, it was a pretty attritional game, something that we’re not used to in the last few years.

“Clearly Starcy’s carrying something of some description. We’ll assess that.

“But other than that, it looks as though we got through pretty unscathed, but [with a] short turnaround recovery is important, and we’ll assess what the team looks like in Sydney based upon the surface, as we always do.” Australia will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the Sydney Test.

However, if India win the New Year’s Test, they will retain the trophy, winning the series for a record-extending fifth-straight time.

Should Starc be unavailable for the series decider at his home ground, McDonald expressed confidence in Jhye Richardson or Sean Abbott stepping in to fill the void.

“Very confident. Richardson’s here for a reason. So if we weren’t confident, he wouldn’t be here. He’s had a heavy week with us in the nets. All indications are he’d be capable of bowling 40-plus overs if he was called upon.

“Sean Abbott’s there as well. We feel like, [the] SCG is his home ground, so he will be serviceable if called upon as well. It’ll be about assessing our frontline quicks and then making decisions from there.” Starc’s fitness issues, compounded by his heavy workload alongside skipper Pat Cummins, have also drawn attention to the limited role of Mitch Marsh as a fifth bowler.

Across four Tests, Australia’s fifth bowling option Marsh has bowled only 33 overs, a statistic that underscores his underutilization.

Marsh’s contributions with the bat have been similarly underwhelming, with just 73 runs at an average of 10.42 across four Tests (6, 47, 9, 5, 2, 4, 0). These lackluster returns have sparked criticism and calls for his exclusion.

However, McDonald defended the all-rounder.

“He’s in a good [head] space. Would you like better performances? There’s no doubt about that. Over four Test matches, he hasn’t been able to deliver at the level he would like and we would like.” “He’s up and about though. We just won a Test match. No, there’s no concern. And I think people have probably been reading too much into that.

“We haven’t required him with the ball as often as what we would have thought. He bowled again today. There are no injury concerns there.

McDonald insisted that Marsh bowling just 33 overs is simply because the team didn’t require him to roll his arm.

“I think to sort of head that down that angle is a little bit unfair. We just haven’t required him at certain times for whatever reason, so that’s more a tactical implementation, as opposed to a body.” 

Lavishing praise on young Sam Konstas, former opener David Warner has urged Australia’s senior players to adopt a similar aggressive approach when facing Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been a dominant force with the ball in the ongoing series. The 19-year-old Konstas played some stunning scoops and laps off Bumrah en route to a 65-ball 60 on his Test debut during the fourth Test at Melbourne, which the Aussies won by 184 runs on Monday. “It was very special. People are going to criticise him as well. That’s the nature of the beast, that’s the way he is going to play,” Warner told AAP.

“When someone like Bumrah is bowling to you, you have to try and execute somehow. They put a third-man in and fine leg to him and bowled him through the gate (in the second innings).

“He will look back on that and go ‘what a great experience in the Boxing Day Test’. He now gets to come here for New Year’s Test.” Konstas had scored 107 off 97 balls against India for the Prime Minister’s XI. He had also scored an unbeaten 73 at the MCG against India A, besides making two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and a record-breaking 50 on debut for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.

“What he did in the Prime Minister’s XI shows he has that talent. But it also shows he is brave.” “Him being brave at the top of the order, you’ve got guys who have played 50 Tests, they could have been brave as well, they could have played different shots, they could have moved out of their crease and batted different.” Warner added that while players like Steve Smith had experimented with various approaches, it shouldn’t take a newcomer’s boldness to shift the momentum.

“Smudge (Steve Smith) tried a million different things. But it shouldn’t take someone to come out there and be brave to get that momentum shifting. You have experience at the top of the order, experience in that whole line up,” Warner said.

“Travis Head took the game away from them in Adelaide with that magnificent hundred. It shouldn’t take that guy just to come and do that. It’s the way the Australians played but other people can be braver as well.”

Bumrah is a genius

Bumrah on Sunday became the second fastest Indian along with Ravindra Jadeja to complete 200 Test wickets and the first bowler ever to reach that milestone with a sub-20 average during the fourth day’s play of the fourth Test.

The India speedstar has taken 30 wickets at an average of just 12.83 this series, including nine wickets in Melbourne.

“You’re also hoping Bumrah gets it off that handkerchief, he’s a genius. He is averaging under 20. His record is incredible,” Warner said.

“To put him off that is tough. You can’t just try and negate that. ‘Uzzy’ (Usman Khawaja) managed to face two balls in his first spell. That’s luck batters need as well.

“Fortunately for him, he got a half-century. Hopefully that builds momentum and gives him that positive energy to come into Sydney where he’s got a good record as well.” 

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma© AFP

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh on Monday conceded that fielding at gully makes him the “most nervous”, particularly because of Cameron Green’s excellent reputation in that position. Green is not playing in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy owing to a spine injury, but Marsh has stepped intox that role with some degree of comfort, underlined by his flying catch to dismiss India batter Shubman Gill on day three of the Third Test here.

“Yeah, I think since I’ve come back into the Test team, fielding at gully is probably when I feel the most nervous because Green is likely to go down as one of the best ever. If you drop one there, you’re always compared to him,” Marsh said during the post-day press conference.

Marsh’s brilliant catch off left-arm quick Mitchell Starc led to Gill’s dismissal for one as India ended Day 3 on a precarious 51 for four.

“Any time I can do something like that — I probably didn’t even need to dive, to be fair — but I thought it had a bit of a moment, and it is a fun team. It’s a great team to be a part of.

“So, yeah, I like fielding there, but honestly, being at square leg is just as good.” Marsh was happy to see the hosts scoring 445 in their first innings.

“I think when you get sent in and you make 450, it’s always positive, and then I guess you earn the right to attack, especially early with the ball. Like I said before, now it’s just about how do we try and take 20 wickets. We’ve got six more to get, and then we just assess from there.” Asked if they would enforce the follow-on, he said: “I think we’ve got six wickets to take first, but we know that we’ve got to take 20 wickets to try and win this Test and I guess all the conversations and all the planning will be, how do we do that…

“So, hopefully the weather holds off, and then tomorrow it’s just about coming in, having a crack, and see where we get to.” After their humiliating defeat in the opening Test in Parth, Australia have been able to get on top of the Indian batters.

“I think we bowled really well. Today was no different, and we’ve been able to take wickets with the new ball, albeit the second innings in Perth.

“Our bowling attack has some great bowlers, and they’re attacking, they look to take wickets all the time, and hopefully that can continue.” Premier batter Virat Kohli once again fell prey to his longstanding vulnerability outside the off-stump, chasing a delivery pitched wide and edging it to the wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Kohli came to bat with India reeling at 6/2 and he got out for 3 to further compound their misery.

Reflecting on Kohli’s wicket, Marsh continued: “There’s no real talk about that (Kohli dismissal). I think it’s more just, every time he comes to the crease, we know he’s a big wicket for them.

“He’s one of the greatest players ever, so it’s just about being really diligent and trying to execute your plans. And I guess it’s always nice to see the back of one of the game’s greats.” With several rain interruptions in the third Test, Marsh said there’s a constant check on the weather website.

“We’re always asking for the radar and what’s happening. Obviously two days to go, and I think there’s still plenty of time for a result, but let’s hope that the weather stays away over the next few days,” he added.

Ahead of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh highlighted the importance of taking on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Marsh noted that merely “seeing off” the “best bowler in the world” could lead to losing one’s wicket, emphasising the need to adapt to the situation and apply pressure with attacking batting when required. The third Test of the series is set to begin on December 14 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Following a resounding 295-run defeat to the visitors at Perth’s Optus Stadium–where standout performances from Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were on display–the hosts bounced back strongly. Exceptional bowling efforts from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, combined with a counter-attacking century from Travis Head, secured Australia a dominant 10-wicket win as they chased a modest target of 19 runs.

With the series now level at 1-1, the next encounter takes place at “The Gabba,” a venue where an inexperienced Indian side handed Australia their first Test loss in over 32 years during the 2020-21 tour.

Marsh, who has scored 62 runs in two Tests and three innings so far, with a best of 47, is the only player in Australia’s top seven yet to be dismissed by Bumrah in the series. Speaking about facing the top-ranked Test pacer, Marsh said during a pre-match press conference, “He is coming. When you have the best bowler in the world, if you are just trying to see him off, he is going to have one with your name on it. It is about applying pressure with your own method and taking the challenge on.”

“Everyone has their own plans, and we all bat differently, so it is about the situation in the game. Sometimes you have to get through a spell, and sometimes it is time to attack. We have players in our batting line-up who play differently,” he added.

“Getting through in your own way and moving the game forward is really important when you are facing one of the best attacks in the world,” Marsh concluded.

Regarding his bowling workload, Marsh stated that his body feels good and that he is prepared to bowl as much as captain Pat Cummins requires. After bowling 17 overs and taking three wickets at Perth, Marsh came into the second Test at the Adelaide Oval slightly sore and managed only four overs in the first innings, conceding 26 runs without a wicket.

Marsh explained that the plan leading up to the series was to manage his bowling workload, with guidance from skipper Cummins, medical staff, and head coach Andrew McDonald. While he was expected to bowl during the Sheffield Shield, recurring back issues, which have troubled him since the white-ball tour to the UK in September, delayed those plans.

During the England series, Marsh bowled only once, during an ODI at Lord’s–his first outing with the ball since suffering a hamstring injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April while playing for the Delhi Capitals.

“We had a really clear plan before the series started. I did not bowl as much as I would have liked in the lead-up, but our medical staff, Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald), and Patty were really clear on my preparation, and I trusted that. I have not had to bowl much so far, but my body is feeling really good. Right now, it feels as good as it has felt,” Marsh said.

Asked if he was limiting his overs, he responded, “Not in my mind, no. I will try to be ready to bowl as much as Patty needs me. Our all-rounders have not bowled much in Australia over the past few years, but I am really thankful to the medical staff, Ronnie, and Patty for giving me the space between the first and second Tests to get right for the game.”

On the potential return of pacer Josh Hazlewood for the third Test after recovering from a side strain, Marsh said, “The great thing about Josh is that he’s a very level-headed character. He will do everything he can to be fit for the game, and then it is up to the leadership group and selectors to make the final decision.”

Mitchell Marsh ruled himself out after a caught behind appeal.© X (Twitter)

Virat Kohli was visibly miffed after Mitchell Marsh was controversially given not out.© X (Twitter)

The second day of the second India vs Australia Test saw a controversial moment. Before the end of the first session, India sensed an opportunity and went for a DRS appeal for LBW against Australia’s Mitchell Marsh. The on-field umpire gave him not out. India was sure about a LBW and went for a DRS. The third umpire said there are no conclusive evidence that the ball hit the pad first and stayed with the on-field umpire’s decision. However, the front on replay suggested otherwise.

Ravi Ashwin to Mitchell Marsh..

– Ball hits clearly on pad first but 3rd Umpire says there is not conclusive evidence to overturn on field umpire decision..!!

pic.twitter.com/dWJ0I6d3wE

— MANU. (@Manojy9812) December 7, 2024

#IndvAus Controversy!!! Controversy!!

That looked PAD 1st..

Ashwin went for DRS..

3rd umpire Kettleborough says its Bat 1st..

Ridiculous if that would have been an Indian batsman.. it would have been pad 1st..

The slo mo shows clear PAD 1st.. Marsh the batsman.. pic.twitter.com/J5kdDKmo9x

— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) December 7, 2024

Mitchell Marsh was lbw on Ashwin’s ball, but the umpire did not give him out, The ball first hit the Pad & Then hit the bat 3rd given not out what is the meaning of technology in cricket when you do not give the right decision?#AUSvIND #TeamIndia #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/Qvwzm3ETdv

— paritoshtechnical.techno (@paritoshtechni1) December 7, 2024

This is pathetic by Richard Kettleborough. He was unsure of bat first or pad first but gave not out based on Snicko. Mitchell Marsh was safe as impact was umpires call but India would have kept the crucial review. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #indvsausTestseriespic.twitter.com/CZU8dpWSXy

— Ganesh (@me_ganesh14) December 7, 2024

Talking about the match, Marnus Labuschagne finally regained form with a composed half-century before being overshadowed by Travis Head‘s flamboyance as Australia negotiated the Indian pacers to reach 191 for four at tea on day two of the second Test on Saturday. Head picked the gaps with ease on way to an unbeaten 53 off 67 balls to keep Australia ahead in the contest after India grabbed three wickets in the first session. The hosts were ahead by 11 runs, having gone past India’s first innings total of 180. Labuschagne (64), whose place in the team was debated prior to this game owing to his prolonged lean run with the bat, registered his 26th half-century and then launched himself into a flurry of boundaries in what were worrying signs for India.

But promising all-rounder Nitish Reddy cut short Labuschagne’s innings as the batter tried to guide him through gully only for Yashasvi Jaiswal to hold on to the catch.

Looking to fight their way back into the game after Australia’s dominance on the opening day, India got an early breakthrough through who else but Jasprit Bumrah four overs into play.

Playing in only his second Test after a forgettable debut in Perth, Nathan McSweeney had no answer to one of many excellent deliveries from Bumrah, which straightened a fraction after landing on the perfect length and all the batter could do was get a little nick while trying to defend after getting stuck on the crease.

McSweeney walked back after a hard-fought 39, a far better effort following his twin failures in the series opener, but Steve Smith’s poor run of form continued as the former captain got out in the most unfortunate fashion after a brief stay at the crease.

Smith looked to flick a Bumrah delivery tickling down the leg side but only ended up edging it to the keeper Rishabh Pant who completed a neat catch diving to his left.

As Ravi Shastri said on air, India got Smith in this fashion in the last tour as well, by attacking his middle and leg stump.

Unlike the first day, when they were guilty of bowling outside the off-stump way too often, the Indian pacers targeted the stumps in the initial phase of second day’s play and they were also rewarded for it in the form of those early wickets.

Smith’s dismissal, for two off 11 balls, brought into the middle Travis Head and Bumrah welcomed him with one that straightened off the deck and whizzed past the outside edge.

Head, however, moved on quickly from the close shave and got off the mark with a cracking boundary off the Indian pace spearhead, finding the gap between mid-off and extra cover. 

File photo of Ravindra Jadeja (R) and Ravichandran Ashwin.© AFP